Local apprentices compete at World Skills UK

Our apprentices Ben Green and Daniel Skinner have won coveted places to compete at the UK finals of WorldSkills which is being held at The Skills Show, NEC Birmingham on 17-19 November.

Ben and Daniel, both advanced apprentices in electronics at the Rochester site in Kent, are competitors in the industrial electronics competition taking place at the Show over three days. If successful they will go on to represent the UK at the world’s largest global skills competition - WorldSkills 2019 - which will be held in Kazan, Russia.

The apprentices impressed the judges at regional heats in July by completing a day long mini electronics challenge. To help prepare for the competition the apprentices have received coaching from specialist engineers in BAE Systems.

Daniel said: “The competition has incre advanced apprentice at BAE Systems Rochester. ased my skill level, and helped me improve my time management whilst ensuring I am working to a high standard under pressure. I am really looking forward to taking part in the event.”

The Skills Show, part of Find a Future, is expected to be attended by 75,000 people and is the nation’s largest skills competition and careers event helping to shape the future of a new generation. It provides hands-on exhibits that inspire young people to explore a variety of careers and motivates them to find out more about the world of work.

Mark Donnelly, BAE Systems’ Apprentice and Skills Manager said: “The Skills Show is a really important event for BAE Systems and provides an unrivalled platform to showcase our award winning Apprenticeship programme to thousands of young people. Our stand offers the chance for visitors to speak to our recruitment and careers advisors, and hear first-hand from some of our apprentices on their experience in the Company to date.”

WorldSkills, the largest international skills competition which takes place every two years in cities around the world, sees the world’s best young apprentices and learners come together to compete for Gold, Silver, Bronze Medals in a range of vocational skills.

BAE Systems Apprenticeship programme is rated Ofsted grade one “Outstanding’, has achieved the prestigious Princess Royal Training Award and was National Apprenticeship Macro Employer of the Year in 2015. The Company invests over £80M per annum in skills in the UK every year.